Anyone can make a comment on an application for planning permission. This can be to object, support or make a neutral comment on an application.
To make a comment online you will need to be signed into your Redbridge account. We recommend logging in before accessing the planning application to submit your comment.
How can I make a comment?
All planning applications are available to view online. Please search for the application you want to view using the planning reference number or address. You can then make your comment by selecting ‘click here to comment on this application’ at the top of the application record page.
All comments must include a name and full postal address, or they will be rejected - this will be required as part of your account set-up. Once you have submitted your comment you will be sent an email confirming we have received it (this should take no more than 5-10 minutes). Please do not include any personal details (such as your name or telephone number) in the content of your comment - we will have these from your account details.
All comments on planning applications are expected to be made online via the application record. We do not accept comments by email.
Please see our privacy policy for full details of how we will use your data submitted with your comment.
What happens when I make a comment?
Comments on planning applications are not published.
When a comment is submitted it will be initially reviewed by our consultations team (within 2 working days) and then transferred in full to the application record. From here it will be taken into account in full in the assessment, and will be referenced in the officer report. The officer report will be published on submission and may include the addresses of any commenters.
You can view the comments you have made in your Redbridge account. Please note this has two sections - comments that have been initially reviewed will be in the 'submitted comments' section, comments that are awaiting their initial review will appear in the 'pending comments' section.
We can choose not to accept comments that contain defamatory, offensive, or obscene content, or are wholly unrelated to planning considerations (please see section below 'what can I comment on'). In these cases we will inform the person making the comment of the reason(s) for rejection. A new comment can be submitted on solely planning considerations - this would be at the discretion of the commenter.
In circumstances where a planning application is appealed, we are required to share data from the application with the Planning Inspectorate. This will include copies of all comments made by statutory consultees and members of the public/interested parties. We will redact special category data from the comments, as well as personal email addresses, phone numbers and signatures. A copy of all documents supplied to the Inspectorate, including the comments, is also required to be sent to the appellant (or their agent if they have one).
What can I comment on?
Only material planning considerations will be considered during the application assessment. You can comment on the following grounds:
- Loss of light or overshadowing
- Overlooking/loss of privacy
- Visual amenity (but not loss of private view)
- Design, appearance and materials
- Adequacy of parking/loading/turning
- Highway safety
- Traffic generation
- Previous planning decisions (including appeal decisions)
- Local, strategic, regional and national planning policies
- Noise and disturbance resulting from use
- Hazardous materials
- Smells
- Effect on listed building and conservation area
- Loss of trees
- Layout and density of building
- Landscaping
- Nature conservation
- Road access
- Government circulars, orders and statutory instruments
- Disabled persons' access
- Proposals in the Development Plan
- Archaeology
The following grounds do not constitute material planning considerations and will not be part of the application assessment:
- The perceived loss of property value
- Private disputes between neighbours
- The loss of a private view
- The impact of construction work or competition between businesses
- Restrictive covenants
- Ownership disputes over rights of way
- Fence lines
- Boundary wall considerations
- Personal morals or views about the applicant
What application types can I comment on?
The application type will be detailed on the application record page. Some application types have a statutory consultation period (usually 21 days). We accept comments on these applications types:
- Householder
- Full planning permission
- Major application
- Outline permission
- Section 73 application (variation/removal of condition)
- Prior approval householder (the grounds of objection are limited – this is detailed fully in the notification letter sent to all adjoining neighbours)
- Prior approval determination (includes some changes of use and telecommunications developments)
The following application types do not include a statutory consultation period. We will not accept comments made on these application types:
- Certificate of lawfulness (proposed and existing)
- Discharge of condition
- Non-material amendment
- Advertisement consent
- Listed building consent
- Works to protected trees
What is the consultation process?
Most planning applications are subject to a statutory 21-day consultation process so that interested parties (such as neighbours) or statutory consultees (such as Transport for London) can review and make comments. The legislation governing how we must undertake public consultation is available online.
Please try to ensure that you submit your representation before the end of the consultation period. Comments received after the 21 day consultation period may not be considered.
Most applications that require consultation are publicised by letter to adjoining neighbours. In some circumstances, such as if it is a major development or if it is in a conservation area, the consultation will include a site notice and an advert in a local paper.
Re-consultations and re-submissions
Some applications will go through a re-consultation process, for example if amended plans are received. We will contact all neighbours and commenters by letter (if your comment included an email address we will notify you by email).
This re-consultation period can be shorter than the usual 21 days, depending on the scale of the amendments (this will be specified in the letter). Your original comment will still be taken into account – you only need to comment again if you have something new or different to add.
If an application is decided and the applicant chooses to re-submit (for example submitting a new amended application following a refusal) then we will carry out a new consultation. Comments on any previous application will not be taken into account on a new application . You will need to comment again in full.
Comment on a planning application
